Snowman Shuffle Saturday at Sun Splash

January 9, 2013

Nobody will be slip-sliding away on the slides at Sun Splash this Saturday. Rather, they will be putting on their walking shoes (and maybe their dog's leashes) and strolling around the city waterpark pavilion for a good cause.

The second-annual Snowman Shuffle Fun Walk will happen starting at 8 a.m. to benefit Special Populations, which operates out of the Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center, which helps those in Lee County with developmental and physical disabilities that attend the center's programs.

"The walk was the idea from staff at Special Pops. They saw other organizations do walks on behalf of Guardian Angels for Special Populations," said Vince Marcucci, president of Guardian Angels. "We had about 230 walkers last year and raised $5,600. We were more than thrilled."

Marcucci said the goal is to raise $7,500 this year, even though the Guardian Angels couldn't secure a main sponsor this year. He said he has gotten support from the Breeze, Clear Channel and Walgreen's.

The Guardian Angels is a non-profit, fund-raising organization which provides support for Special Populations programs and participants through fund-raisers, grants and donations.

The Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department will co-sponsor the event.

Walkers will earn pledges and can sign up to be a buddy for Special Population participants. Walkers can register for $20 or get $20 in pledges to earn a T-shirt and goodie bag.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. Warm-up is at 8:45, with the walk starting at 9:15. A continental breakfast will be served after the walk, with DJ Ben providing the music.

The walk starts at the pavilion, goes to Southwest 2nd Avenue, with a right turn onto Mid-Cape Terrace, right onto Santa Barbara, then back to Lake Kennedy Drive and Sun Splash Pavilion.

A mini-bus will be provided for those who need assistance, and the Cape Coral Police Department will provide an escort.

An added feature this year will be registration for dogs for $10. If the dog gets $10 in pledges, it will get an "I love Special Pops" doggie bandana.

"Last year we saw about 20 dogs and we decided to make them a part of the walk," Marcucci said.

The individual walker who earns the most pledges will receive a Kindle Fire HD. The top-pledging team will get lunch for up to 10 people. Even the top-earning dog will get a basket of treats.

For Special Pops, the idea is to get the word out for what they do for those less fortunate.

"Once you meet our participants, the feeling you get is indescribable. The feeling you get helping people who can't help themselves," Marcucci said. "I hope it turns into a gigantic event."